Details About the Clean School Bus Program

The Texas Clean School Bus program is a comprehensive program designed to reduce emissions of diesel exhaust by retrofitting older school buses.

The Texas Education Agency reports that more than 33 percent of the school buses in local fleets are more than 10 years old. In the years since these vehicles were purchased, several advancements in vehicle and engine technology have helped reduce emissions from school buses, which helps reduce air pollution. Learn more about diesel exhaust from school buses.

Funds for Upgrading School Bus

Grants awarded through this program help schools purchase and install emissions-reduction technologies. The program will award funds to school districts and charter schools as reimbursement for the cost of eligible projects that reduce diesel-exhaust emissions.

While there is not a limit on the amount of funding that can be applied for, the amount awarded is at the discretion of the TCEQ.

Eligible School Districts

All public school districts and charter schools in Texas are eligible to apply for this grant. Private schools are not eligible for funding. Public school districts that lease buses are also eligible.

A diesel school bus proposed for retrofit must be used on a regular, daily route to and from a school and have at least five years of useful life remaining, unless the applicant agrees to remove the retrofit device at the end of the life of the bus and reinstall it on another bus.

Eligible School Buses

To meet the TCEQ qualifications, a school bus must:

have an engine model year 2006 or older;

be used on a regular, daily route, to and from school; and

be kept and used by the school district for a least five years after installing the retrofit device.

Eligible Technologies

Newer technology offers several options for cleaner-running school buses, including these items:

Where to find a vendor?

The TCEQ and the Texas Comptroller have secured state pricing for the purchase and installation of retrofit technology. This information, including contact information for these vendors, may be found on the Texas Comptroller's website . A school district is not required to employ a vendor from this list, nor are they limited by this list of vendors.

Get Updates and Information

To sign up for e-mail updates, click the icon above and then: enter and confirm your email address, select "Air Quality", then select "Texas Clean School Bus Program", and finally "save" (the system e-mails you a confirmation). You may unsubscribe at any time.